Commending Elizabeth Gaynes upon the occasion of being honored in conjunction with Women's History Month 2014 in the State of New York

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Feb 4, 2014: ADOPTED

Feb 4, 2014: REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

Jan 29, 2014: REFERRED TO FINANCE

Text

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Elizabeth Gaynes upon the occasion of
being honored in conjunction with Women's History Month 2014 in the
State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those women of achievement within the Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others
through their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Elizabeth Gaynes upon the occasion of being honored in conjunction with
Women's History Month 2014 in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made
invaluable contributions to the growth and strength of New York State in
countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the State of New York officially sets aside time
to recognize the achievements and lives of such exemplary women, repre-
sentatives of the wide-ranging and vital roles women have played in the
historic development of this great Empire State and its communities; the
theme of this year's commemoration is "Celebrating Women of Character,
Courage, and Commitment"; and
WHEREAS, Attorney Elizabeth Gaynes is one of the United States' fore-
most prisoner justice advocates; throughout her illustrious legal
career, she has consistently epitomized the values of character, cour-
age, and commitment in her unwavering service to her peers, colleagues,
and fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Gaynes is the Executive Director of the Osborne
Association, one of the largest multi-service criminal justice organiza-
tions in the nation; guided by her visionary leadership for 28 years,
the organization works in collaboration with New York State and New York
City criminal justice, child welfare and health agencies to provide
innovative and successful services to incarcerated individuals, their
children, and their families; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Gaynes has an abiding and demonstrated commitment
to enhancing the fairness and humanity of the criminal justice system;
she began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney working at a
Buffalo law firm, and later joined the Albany Law School Legal Assist-
ance Project, which provided representation on civil legal matters to
men at four New York State prisons; before assuming the helm of the
Osborne Association, she was an Associate at the Pretrial Services
Resource Center, now known as the Pretrial Justice Institute, in Wash-
ington DC; and
WHEREAS, The wide-ranging scope of Elizabeth Gaynes' work is a strong
indication of her astuteness and compassion; in 1985 she spearheaded the
creation of Family Works, a long-running comprehensive parenting program
in a men's state prison, and she has a leadership role in the New York
Initiative on Children of Incarcerated Parents, a collaborative system
reform project committed to meeting the needs and protecting the rights
of children with parents in prison; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Gaynes is widely known and has gained international
recognition for her efforts; in 2004, she, along with her daughter Emani
Davis, was the first American to be nominated for the prestigious inter-
national award, World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child,
for their work defending the children of prisoners; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service to her community,
the State of New York, and the nation, Elizabeth Gaynes has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Elizabeth Gaynes, and to wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elizabeth Gaynes upon the occasion of being honored in conjunc-
tion with Women's History Month in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elizabeth Gaynes.

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